When Life Begins

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Formal Terminology &Closer Examination

Now, here is some of the formal terminology used in cell biology to refer to the micro-womb and micro-embryo.

The micro-embryo is called the “inner cell mass” (abbreviated “ICM”) or “embryoblast” or “pluriblast.”

The micro-womb before the inner cell mass appears is called a “morula.”

The micro-womb after the inner cell mass appears is called a “blastocyst.”

The subsurface part of the inner cell mass is called the “epiblast.”

Finally, upon closer examination, we see that the micro-embryo is actually a portion of the inner cell mass, not the entire inner cell mass. And, more specifically, the micro-embryo is actually a portion of the epiblast. In other words: